Volume 58 (2008) Issue: 2008 No#2-3

An ecological approach to bryophytes of beehive yards: is there a bee-moss relationship?

Author(s): Grdović Svetlana, Sabovljević M

Keywords:bryophytes, flora, bees, beehive yards

The bryophyte flora composition of three beehive yards in a wide
area of Belgrade has been studied. The bryophyte vegetation
abundance in the studied areas, as well as its diversity have been
compared. The aim of this study was to find out the relationship
between bees and mosses, if any. Observations of bees visiting
bryophytes were made. According to our observations, bees visit
bryophytes only facultatively. However, the indirect relationships
statistically supported (PCA, CCA) the influence of bryophytes to bees,
and vice versa. The indirect relationship of bryophyte and bees was
found and statistically supported. Bryophytes influence humidity and
maintain a milder microclimate for flowering plants growing above them
and so give them longer turgescency during the dry periods, making
them more flurishing. This is of an indirect influence to bees which then
do not have to visit distant pastures.